Want to know your chances of getting into Cambridge? Figure out the Cambridge acceptance rate first. Cambridge is the third-oldest university in the world and has long been ranked in the top 5 by the QS World University Rankings. Studying at this prestigious university should be the dream of every student. Let’s find out the University of Cambridge acceptance rate and then make a comprehensive preparation.
What is University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate?
The University of Cambridge acceptance rate represents the percentage of students admitted to Cambridge relative to the number of students who applied. The acceptance rate always comes with the offer rate, which refers to the percentage of students who received Cambridge offers and the number of students who applied. Since some students might give up after receiving the offer due to some reasons, the offer rate is always higher than the acceptance rate.
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: Overview
Cambridge University acceptance rate typically hovers between 16%-18%, and the offer rate is between 20%-21% for undergraduate study and 29%-43% for postgraduate study.
Although the figure might sound much more generous than many American universities, you should also consider the program and college you will apply to. Some competitive programs are much more challenging to get into, like BSc Computer Science, with only a 7.6% acceptance rate. However, some programs like BA Modern and Medieval Languages can even have a high acceptance rate of up to 50%.
University of Cambridge Acceptance Rate - Last Five Years
Undergraduate:
| Year | Applications | Offers | Offer Rate | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,503 | 4,813 | 21.39% | 3,680 | 16.35% |
| 2023 | 21,713 | 4,605 | 21.08% | 3,599 | 16.58% |
| 2022 | 22,728 | 4,290 | 18.88% | 3,591 | 15.80% |
| 2021 | 22,795 | 42,60 | 18.69% | 3,660 | 16.06% |
| 2020 | 20,426 | 4,710 | 23.06% | 3,997 | 19.57% |
PostGraduate:
| Year | Applications | Offers | Offer Rate | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33,536 | 9,782 | 29.17% | 5,547 | 16.54% |
| 2023 | 26,984 | 9,064 | 33.60% | 5,260 | 19.49% |
| 2022 | 30,321 | 9,547 | 31.49% | 5,437 | 17.93% |
| 2021 | 27,848 | 9,482 | 34.05% | 5,315 | 19.09% |
| 2020 | 25,346 | 8,563 | 33.78% | 5,104 | 20.14% |
- ‘2024 year’ refers to the applications made from September 2023 onwards for courses starting in October 2024 or deferred entry in 2025.
- Statistics come from the University of Cambridge’s official website.
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: By Subject
Cambridge acceptance rate can vary significantly from subject to subject and program to program. Instead of looking into the overall acceptance rate of the university, you should really pay attention to the applications, offers, and acceptances of the specific subject you plan to apply at Cambridge.
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: Undergraduate
Undergraduate Study: (Statistics for 2024 year)
Top 5 Most Competitive Subjects
| Subject | Applications | Offers | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Graduate Course | 548 | 45 | 40 | 7.3% |
| Computer Science | 1,583 | 147 | 121 | 7.6% |
| Psychological & Behavioural Science | 891 | 104 | 81 | 9.10% |
| Land Economy | 629 | 92 | 71 | 11.30% |
| Architecture | 522 | 96 | 60 | 11.50% |
| Human, Social, & Political Sciences | 1.436 | 219 | 166 | 11.60% |
Top 5 least Competitive Subjects
| Subject | Applications | Offers | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern & Medieval Languages | 254 | 155 | 128 | 50.4% |
| Classics | 126 | 59 | 50 | 39.7% |
| Archaeology | 82 | 46 | 32 | 39% |
| Music | 140 | 78 | 51 | 36.40% |
| History of Art | 87 | 37 | 31 | 35.60% |
| Human, Social, & Political Sciences | 1.436 | 219 | 166 | 11.60% |
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: Postgraduate
Postgraduate: (Statistics for 2010-2024)
Postgraduate Taught Programs
| Most Competitive | |
|---|---|
| Program | Acceptance Rate |
| MPhil Basic and Translational Neuroscience | 11% |
| MAST Astrophysics | 11% |
| MPhil Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence | 12% |
| MPhil Finance | 12% |
| MPhil Machine Learning, Speech and Language Technology | 12% |
| Least Competitive | |
|---|---|
| Program | Acceptance Rate |
| CPGS Legal Studies | 98% |
| MEd Researching Practice | 98% |
| CPGS Economics | 96% |
| MEd Counselling | 91% |
| MPhil Biological Science | 88% |
| MPhil Clinical Science | 84% |
| MPhil Latin American Studies | 83% |
Postgraduate Research Programs
| Most Competitive | |
|---|---|
| Program | Acceptance Rate |
| MRes + PhD Cancer Biology | 2.60% |
| PhD Programme in Infection, Immunity and Inflammation | 4.30% |
| PhD Development Studies | 5.10% |
| MPhil + PhD Developmental Biology | 6% |
| DTP Biological Sciences | 7.10% |
| CDT Mathematics of Information | 7.80% |
| Least Competitive | |
|---|---|
| Program | Acceptance Rate |
| PhD Spanish and Portuguese | 78% |
| PhD Psychiatry | 73% |
| PhD Zoology | 66% |
| PhD Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic | 61% |
| PhD History | 55% |
| PhD Physiology, Development and Neuroscience | 55% |
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: By College
The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges, each with its own profound history.
Among them, Murray Edwards, Robinson, Girton, and Lucy Cavendish boast a high acceptance rate of over 20%, but these colleges tends to be less renowned than other.
At the same time, more highly scored colleges like Trinity, Christ’s, Corpus Christi, and Pembroke all come with an acceptance rate around 12% to 15%.
| College | Applications | Offers | Offer Rate | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray Edwards | 417 | 163 | 39.09% | 110 | 26.38% |
| Robinson | 553 | 141 | 25.50% | 120 | 21.70% |
| Girton | 647 | 180 | 27.82% | 139 | 21.48% |
| Lucy Cavendish | 689 | 190 | 27.58% | 146 | 21.19% |
| Peterhouse | 438 | 103 | 23.52% | 84 | 19.18% |
| St Catharine’s | 754 | 170 | 22.55% | 141 | 18.70% |
| Newnham | 651 | 168 | 25.81% | 121 | 18.59% |
| Magdalene | 539 | 122 | 22.63% | 100 | 18.55% |
| St Edmund’s | 295 | 74 | 25.08% | 54 | 18.31% |
| FItzwilliam | 787 | 184 | 23.38% | 143 | 18.17% |
| Sidney Sussex | 591 | 137 | 23.18% | 107 | 18.10% |
| Homerton | 950 | 212 | 22.32% | 171 | 18% |
| Gonville and Calus | 822 | 193 | 23.48% | 147 | 17.88% |
| Trinity Hall | 590 | 133 | 22.54% | 105 | 17.80% |
| Churchill | 781 | 179 | 22.92% | 135 | 17.29% |
| Wolfson | 291 | 58 | 19.93% | 50 | 17.18% |
| Hughes Hall | 324 | 73 | 22.53% | 54 | 16.67% |
| Queens’ | 894 | 191 | 21.36% | 148 | 16.55% |
| Selwyn | 765 | 162 | 21.18% | 121 | 15.82% |
| Clare | 908 | 175 | 19.27% | 142 | 15.64% |
| Corpus Christi | 541 | 119 | 22.00% | 82 | 15.16% |
| Christ’s | 813 | 158 | 19.43% | 121 | 14.88% |
| Jesus | 964 | 147 | 15.25%% | 141 | 14.63% |
| Trinity | 1397 | 261 | 18.68% | 197 | 14.10% |
| King’s | 921 | 156 | 16.94% | 126 | 13.68% |
| St Jhon’s | 1188 | 218 | 18.35% | 159 | 13.38% |
| Downing | 1035 | 162 | 15.65% | 128 | 12.37% |
| Pembroke | 1043 | 162 | 15.53% | 126 | 12.08% |
Cambridge Acceptance Rate: International Applications
Undergraduate Study 2024:
According to official statistics released by the university, Cambridge acceptance rate for international students in undergraduate study is 10.9%. In total, there are 7,565 applications outside the UK, and 1,137 offers were made, and 821 students were admitted.
China stands out for the most applications, with 2,282, followed by Singapore (601), Hong Kong (552), and the USA (482). However, the highest University of Cambridge acceptance rate lay in New Zealand at 24.6%, and then is Romania (22.6%), Japan (22.0%), and Singapore (19.3%).
The following table lists the top 10 countries outside the UK submitting applications to Cambridge:
| Country | Applications | Offers | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 2,282 | 341 | 262 | 11.50% |
| Singapore | 601 | 154 | 116 | 19.30% |
| Hong Kong | 552 | 98 | 82 | 14.90% |
| USA | 482 | 60 | 32 | 6.60% |
| India | 287 | 25 | 15 | 5.20% |
| Malaysia | 268 | 24 | 21 | 7.80% |
| France | 181 | 14 | 11 | 6.10% |
| Germany | 156 | 17 | 13 | 8.30% |
| Spain | 146 | 17 | 15 | 10.30% |
| Ireland | 144 | 14 | 14 | 9.70% |
Postgraduate Study 2024:
For doctoral programs, China, India, and the USA account for the top 3 applications outside the UK. Both China and the USA enjoy a high acceptance rate of around 14%, but this rate is lower than that of Canada and Germany. Also, Cambridge Uni acceptance rate for India is much lower than that of other major countries.
For non-doctoral programs, the applications from China even exceed those from the UK, but the acceptance rate is still much lower than that of UK applications. Apart from the UK, Germany and the USA have higher Cambridge acceptance rates than other major countries.
Doctoral Applications 2024: Top 7 countries with most acceptances
| Country | Applications | Offers | Acceptances | Acceptances Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 1982 | 679 | 402 | 20.28% |
| China | 1687 | 417 | 227 | 13.46% |
| USA | 626 | 214 | 90 | 14.38% |
| Germany | 270 | 89 | 47 | 17.41% |
| India | 1104 | 139 | 46 | 4.17% |
| Canada | 181 | 68 | 33 | 18.23% |
| Italy | 191 | 57 | 30 | 15.71% |
Non-doctoral Applications 2024: Top 6 countries with most acceptances
| Country | Applications | Offers | Acceptances | Acceptances Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 3855 | 1925 | 1408 | 36.52% |
| China | 6057 | 1228 | 652 | 10.76% |
| USA | 1814 | 876 | 442 | 24.37% |
| India | 1615 | 359 | 198 | 12.26% |
| Germany | 401 | 220 | 127 | 31.67% |
| Canada | 444 | 201 | 95 | 21.40% |
Cambridge Admissions Statistics: Key Trends
Here are some key trends that we should notice from Cambridge admissions statistics based on the 2020-2024 cycle:
- Steady Decline in Acceptance Rates
- The Overall University of Cambridge acceptance rate has dropped from 18-20% to 15%, and some courses like Computer Science and Medicine are below 10%.
2. Rising Application Numbers
- Since 2020, the number of applications has increased by 5-8% annually due to more international applications (25% of total) and growth in STEM subjects (Engineering and Natural Science with 10-15% application spikes).
3. Widening Participation Efforts
- State school admissions reached 72.5% of UK offers in 2023 (68% in 2020), and 25% of UK admissions received reduced grade requirements based on socioeconomic factors.
4. International Student Trends
- The Cambridge acceptance rate for international students fell to about 12% with stricter English language requirements (IELTS 7.5 minimum), and most students were from China (accounted for 1,800+ applicants in 2023), Singapore, and the USA.
5. Key Takeaways for Applicants
- Holistic review: Super-curricular engagement (e.g., Olympiads, research) is increasingly critical.
- Early preparation: 80% of successful applicants begin preparing 1–2 years pre-application.
- Pool system: 25% of offers go to applicants initially placed in the “winter pool” (reallocated from other colleges).
Cambridge Application & Entry Requirements
After getting to know detailed Cambridge admission statistics from the above aspects, you might be wondering how to prepare for your application and what requirements you should meet. Check the following list we collected for you to refer to:
- A level: Most courses require at least an A*AA level. Also, some competitive courses like Computer Science and Natural Sciences require an A*A*A or even more. Remember to check the specific requirements for your course on Cambridge’s official website.
- IB: Usually 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level.
- Subject requirements: Many courses require A levels/IB Higher Levels in some specific subjects; some don’t require, but good grades in some recommended subjects will be helpful.
- Admission assessment: There is a written admissions assessment at all Colleges, except Christ’s, for this course. At Christ’s, candidates will be asked to work through comparable problems in an extended interview. Some courses will require more, like TMUA, which is required for Computer Science, and ESAT, which is required for Natural Science.
- Submitted work: Applicants to some Colleges must submit written work before the interview. St Edmund’s Colleges require one piece of written work, and Churchill, Downing, and Wolfson require two pieces of written work.
- English language requirements: IELTS Academic – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element. TOEFL Internet-Based Test (IBT) – normally a minimum overall score of 110, with 25 or above in each element.
Acceptance Rate of Cambridge VS Other Universities in UK
There are also many other world-renowned universities in the UK that you can consider. Let’s check their latest acceptance rate in 2024 together:
| University | QS 2025 | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | 2 | 11%-14% |
| University of Oxford | 3 | 16% |
| University of Cambridge | 5 | 16%-18% |
| University College London | 9 | 25% |
| University of Edinburgh | 27 | 9% |
| University of Manchester | 34 | 56% |
| King’s College London | 40 | 13% |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | 50 | 9% |
| University of Bristol | 54 | 67% |
| University of Warwick | 69 | 14% |
| University of Glasgow | 78 | 22% |
| University of Birmingham | 80 | 13% |
| University of Southampton | 80 | 84% |
| University of Leeds | 82 | 44-77% |
| Durham University | 89 | 41% |
How to Prepare for a Cambridge Application
According to the listed Cambridge University acceptance rate, there is no doubt that getting to Cambridge is highly competitive. If you’re sure Cambridge is your dream heaven, then prepare for a lasting, systematic application process, which requires outstanding achievements in academic scores, extracurricular activities, application documents, and interview.
Cambridge Application Process & Timeline
The application process for Cambridge University is usually more complicated and start earlier than other UK universities, which requires additional documents and steps.
| Step | Time (For Reference) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| UCAS Application | Deadline 15 October | All applicants must apply through UCAS. Select one college or “Open Application” (assign by system). |
| My Cambridge Application | Deadline late October | After UCAS application, Cambridge will send emails with an additional Cambridge application form, which may requiring offical transcript, course details you studied, and personal statment. |
| Admissions Assessments | October/November | Most programs require assessments through BMAT or ENGAA, or organized by colleges. Be sure to check and register in advance. |
| Paper Assignments | November | Some humanities disciplines may require the submission of recently completed school assignments or papers. |
| Interview | December | Interview will usually take place during December. |
| Final Decision | January | Cambridge will usually inform the final result during January. |
Cambridge Application Critical Areas
- Outstanding Academic Qualifications
- Standard Offers:
- A-Levels: Usually A*A*A or A*AA, varying from course to course.
- IB (International Baccalaureate): Usually 40-42, and 776 or 77 in Higher Level Subjects.
- Other Qualifications: Cambridge accepts a wide range of academic qualifications from around the world. Please check the specific requirements for your country/region on the official website.
- Program Selection: Make it clear in advance the required subjects your program needs (eg, mathematics and physics are usually required A-Level if you want to apply for engineering).
- Other Exam Results: Any acquired high grades (like GCSE, AS-Level, and AP) will be assessed.
- Standard Offers:
2. Super-curricular Exploration:
Cambridge is looking for students who hold an inner intellectual curiosity for the subject they applied to and are proactive in exploration. This is always the key to a personal statement and interview.
| Forms | Suggested Content |
|---|---|
| Reading | Read professional books, academic journals and review articles in the chosen subject, rather than just textbooks. The course pages on the official website usually have recommended reading lists. |
| Online Learning | Participate in advanced MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) related to the subject (such as those on Coursera and edX), and be able to discuss the learned content in the application. |
| Participating in Activities | Attend lectures, seminars, competitions or academic programs related to the subject. |
| Thinking | The most important thing is not merely what has been “done”, but “how to think”. In your personal statement, demonstrate your critical analysis and insights into the materials or activities you have read. |
3. UCAS Personal Statement:
This is the key document to showcase your academic potential and passion for the discipline.
- Focus on Academics: 80% of your personal statement should be why you want to study this program, and what super-curicular you have done for it, and what you have learned.
- Avoid Listings: Avoid simple listings about your activities or books, but delve into one or two examples that can reflect your in-depth thinking.
- Clear Structure: Ensure your statement is well-structured to quickly capture the admissions officer’s attention.
4. My Cambridge Application (MCA):
This is an opportunity to supplement information and present a more detailed academic background.
- Transcript: Provide your transcripts of the past few years, truthfully.
- Optional Personal Statement: You can submit one if you have a program or you want to explain more, which will allow you to more specifically explain why you chose Cambridge and its particular course.
5. Admission Assessments:
This is designed to test your present knowledge, your ability to apply it, and your critical thinking, not your learning potential.
- Prepare in advance: Find out the type of written test for the course you are applying for (such as STEP, ENGAA, TSA, LNAT, etc.).
- Practice Past Exam Papers: Extensively practice past exam papers and mock tests to understand the exam structure and time management.
- Registration Deadline: Please note the deadline for written tests that require early registration, which is usually earlier than the UCAS deadline.
6. Interview Preparation:
An interview is the last and most important step, aiming to simulate a small-class supervision from the college.
- Target: Assess whether you possess the academic ability, mental agility, and critical analytical skills required for a highly intensive, discussion-based learning model at Cambridge.
- Preparation:
- In-depth Review: Re-examine all the books, articles, and academic interests you mentioned in your personal statement and MCA, as the interviewer is likely to ask questions from these.
- Basic Knowledge: Have a solid grasp of the core concepts and principles of the selected discipline.
- Mock Practice: Participate in mock interviews to practice expressing your ideas clearly and logically, and get used to defending your arguments under pressure.
- Demonstrate Your Thought Process: Interviewers place more emphasis on how you think about problems and how you solve new ones rather than whether you can provide the only correct answer. If you don’t know the answer, be honest and try to outline steps to solve the problem.
Cambridge Application Key Takeaways
- Start Early: The Cambridge application process is lengthy and requires the completion of UCAS and MCA submissions by October of Year 12 (or equivalent). Academic exploration should span the entire high school experience.
- Depth over Breadth: Showcasing in-depth, lasting exploration and thinking toward a selected subject is more important than listing a lot of irrelevant activities.
- Understand the College System: College is your home and community, where you receive small-class instruction. Spend some time getting to know different colleges and their features and surroundings to make a better decision.
- Rely on Official Sources: Always rely on Cambridge offical website for the latest news, including program requirements, timetable, and deadline.
Final Thoughts
We listed this detailed introduction about Cambridge acceptance rate from the overall statistics to subject-based and international student data, hoping it will be helpful for you to figure out your chances. It is always crucial to focus on the data and requirements of the specific course you want to apply. Plan and prepare in advance, and you will surely get your spot.
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FAQ
What is the Cambridge acceptance rate?
Cambridge University acceptance rate typically hovers between 16%-18%, and the offer rate is between 20%-21% for undergraduate study and 29%-43% for postgraduate study.
Is it very hard to get into Cambridge?
Cambridge acceptance rate is usually 16%-18%, meaning that getting into Cambridge is highly competitive. Usually, it requires exceptional academic performance, often top grades (A*), strong interview skills, and sometimes supplementary assessments.
Is it easier to get into Oxford or Cambridge?
Both Oxford and Cambridge are equally prestigious and highly competitive, with rigorous admissions processes. The difficulty of getting in depends on the specific course, but generally, both universities have similar standards for academic excellence, interviews, and assessments. It’s not necessarily easier to get into one over the other.
What is the hardest subject to get into Cambridge?
Based on the University of Cambridge acceptance rates, Medicine (7.3%) and Computer Science (7.6%) are among the hardest subjects to get into at Cambridge. Medicine, in particular, has one of the lowest acceptance rates due to the high volume of applicants and stringent entry requirements, including academic excellence and specialized tests.
Can you get into Cambridge with 3 A's?
While 3 A’s demonstrate strong academic performance, getting into Cambridge typically requires exceptional grades (often A*), particularly for competitive courses. Admissions also consider factors like interviews, personal statements, and sometimes additional assessments. 3 A’s may be sufficient for some subjects, but higher grades improve chances for top programs.
Which college is hardest to get into at Cambridge?
The hardest college to get into at Cambridge varies each year, but Trinity College and St John’s College are often considered the most competitive due to their high number of applications and large number of offers. These colleges have strong reputations, attracting top candidates globally, which makes acceptance more challenging.
Does Cambridge University have a higher acceptance rate for international students?
Not really. The Cambridge acceptance rate for international students among the top applied countries is also between 10% – 20%.
How does Cambridge acceptance rate compare to other UK universities?
The Cambridge acceptance is 16% – 18% not very higher or lower than other top universities in the UK. The University of Oxford acceptance rate is also around 16%, and the Imperial College London acceptance rate is relatively lower for 11% – 14%.
